Ilford 0 – 1 Grays Athletic

Grays fielded a mixture of first team and reserves against a very disjointed Ilford side, and settled early with a push forward move from Anthony Ryan, but it was Daniel Adeoye who has the first real chance when he fired over when clear. Danny Bunce fired a free-kick at the defensive wall and a handball shout was waved away by the referee to ease the danger.

The Blues controlled the half as Tim Conroy, Joe McEvoy and Bunce moved the ball around with ease. A Bunce corner was headed across goal by Duane Ofori-Acheampong only to be cleared in a melee by Mark Burton. McEvoy found Tim Conroy clear and a speculative cross from thirty yards surprised everyone and beat Sidney Anguiley to hit the bar with Grays well on top.

A solid cross from Conroy caused panic in the home defence, and in the mix-up Anthony Ryan stabbed the ball home to give the Blues the lead midway through the half. The away side were in complete control but could not add to the score.

Bunce and McEvoy both shot wide and Ryan hit the ball over from a header by Acheampong and the impressive Conroy forced a fine save with a hard shot on goal. Stephen Ikumelo in defence looked solid at right back, and cleared the danger when Toussant ran clear, but it was a long back pass that troubled Ali Aksoy and Charlie Brien had to intervene with David Banjo bearing down. Half time arrived with Bunce and Conroy still looking to find a way through and Ilford holding on.

Ilford came out for the second half looking to take the game to Grays, and a series of corners kept Aksoy busy and it was a header over the bar by Richard Simpson that eased the early pressure. McEvoy found Achempong clear but his control let him down as the ball ran through to Anguilley, then Mark Burton took the ball off the forwards feet as he ran clear.

The Blues were struggling to get into their rhythm as the Foxes harried and worked hard. The tireless Toussant always looked a danger, but the final ball rarely troubled the Blues defence as the game settled into a midfield tussle. A double substitution brought on Dan Daley and Misari Al Asmpan for Bradley Thomas and Conroy in an attempt to try and settle the game, and find a way through. Asmpan found space on the left to hit the ball straight to Anguilley with Ryan clear for one of the few chances created in the second half as the game petered out.

A tired looking Acheampong tried hard but his pace slowed as he chased down a pass from Bunce and sub Frankie Sinclair was adjudged off side after a quick run through for the last action as the referee blew to end an even half with Conroy, Ryan and Ikumelo the stand-out players for Grays .

Grays Athletic: - Ali Aksoy, Stephen Ikumelo, Liam Sawford, Charlie Brien, Bradley Thomas (Dan Daley 56), Joe McEvoy, Danny Bunce, Tim Conroy (Misari Al Asmpan 72), Stanley Muguo, Anthony Ryan (Frankie Sinclair 87), Duane Ofori-Acheampong

Subs not used: - Brian Moses, Harry Agombar.